A shrimp a hibachi chef tossed at a man eating at a Japanese steakhouse ultimately led to the diner's death, his family claims in a $10 million wrongful death lawsuit against the restaurant chain Benihana.Jerry Colaitis wrenched his neck when he ducked to avoid the shrimp in the chain's Munsey Park restaurant, attorney Andre Ferenzo said in opening statements Wednesday.
Months after the January 2001 incident, the 43-year-old Long Island man died from complications caused by neck surgery he required afterward, the lawyer said.
Benihana lawyer Charles Connick said it was unlikely a chef who works for tips would toss food at customers after being asked not to, as Ferenzo claimed. Even if that happened, Connick added, the cause of Colaitis' death was an infection or neck injury unrelated to the shrimp.
Every time I think about opening a restaurant, I'm going to read this.
SHRIMP DEATH !!!
Yeah, just because they're idiots doesn't mean they won't cost you your business.
Is it time to go home yet? I need a nap.
You're absolutely right, Biggles. They probably have an attorney doing it on a contigency basis, so it will cost them nothing to try, and Benihana will likely be forced to settle because it's the most cost-effective thing to do.
And then pass the costs on to us, not that I eat there much these day.
Any dude named Colitis had more than neck problems to deal with. . .
Heh, JWebb. I wonder if he was finicky as a baby?